Well... When torrerist attack happen, you guys would question government ability to gather information and blame on government.
I support government have ability to monitor internet and communication activities so they can prevent next torrerist. The last thing I would worry is state reading all my emails. How likely is that. No government has reseouce reading billions text message everyday. But when government do need read potential torrerist email or text message, then government should have the ability to do so.
Lefties alawys want put things to the extreme. If you want hide something, you are doing something that need to be hide.
According to your discussion with me on another thread yesterday you are a Chinese citizen currently working in Canada, right? You explained that you have a very different view of your government's wielding of power and control over individuals.
From what I recall of our discussion you have the view that the government wields its power for the benefit of the collective and that this in turn lifts up conditions for the individuals. So you seem to have the view that monitoring and control over individuals is of benefit to all. Whatever protects the interests of the collective also protects the interests of the individual. I hope I interpreted your posts correctly and I apologize in advance if I have it wrong.
If that is what you believe, I can see why, because as you pointed out, your government has indeed effectively modernized your economy in a very fast and efficient manner compared to the progress in other countries. And you seem to be one of the beneficiaries of your nation's rise to prosperity.
However, you fail to see any downsides as far as I can tell. I do have friends who immigrated from China and became US citizens who have a very different opinion from yours. An opinion they weren't free to express in China. Dissent is dangerous to a collective and therefore isn't allowed. If dissenters can't be made to embrace the collective view, bad things happen to them.
I have some pictures I took from materials provided to me by Falun Gong activists at their booth in Washington DC. They have photographic evidence of the brutal persecution they endured because they dared to practice a form of traditional Chinese spirituality that somehow conflicts with official government ideology. I can't post the photos here because the images and details are too graphically violent and gory for this forum. As an American who believes you have a right to your opinion, I pay you due respect for yours but I will choose my individual liberty if that is how your collective treats people who don't fall in perfect line all the time.
Actually we have mini collectives that operate like that here in the West, too, and they often come in the guise of cults. The idea of the collective is very seductive, especially if you're the one who climbs to power and influence within it.
But generally, for our governments, we have a different view in the west, having long histories of fighting for freedom from abusive and oppressive monarchies. Individuals are valued; individualism is seen as a strength. We do unite and work as a whole, too, but we do so in order to give individuals the opportunity to rise on their own strengths and hard work. Individuals are expected to contribute and give back to the community, so it is not all about service to self.
The worry for our western countries right now is that a new type of collective or cultlike thought wants to take control of us. The "cult" seems to have as its basis the raw fear of terrorism. They seem to want to scare and prod citizens into thinking only the government can save us. They seem to want us weak, scared, and willing to cede power over the most minute details of our lives to them...all in the name of fighting terror.
I think they failed to notice that a lot of our most terrifying public attacks were handled with bravery by ordinary citizens and first responders and not special government super agents. And that a lot of our most terrifying public attacks were carried out by demented people who gave plenty of advanced warning and signs on easily available social media posts. Some had already been reported to law enforcement for various mental health issues and nothing was done.
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25 years ago we didn't have muslims running over people every week and blowing up children at concerts. Blame liberals for removing your freedom after voting 'elite', and filling the country with 'poor little brown people just trying to live their lives in peace'.
No, it was not Muslims back then. But when I was a little girl I remember countless news items about the IRA.
In my country it's not always Muslims. Sometimes it's crazy high school or college kids. Or someone gone bonkers over a divorce or job situation. Anybody can snap and take out a huge number of people. Are we to permit something like mind reading software to prevent crimes and let the movie premise from "Minority Report" become reality?